Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to questions about the New Falcon Experience, living on campus, and more. If you can't find what you are looking for from these resources, please submit a New Falcon Question form in Bentley Support Central, and we will connect you with a community member to help.
Housing and Dining
Living on campus is an exciting way to learn and grow as a member of the Bentley community. Below are some of our most frequently asked questions.
For more detailed information, check out the full Housing FAQs at the bottom of the page.
You will be assigned a time to move into your assigned room. The Residential Center will share this with you in July. You will have the chance to get your belongings settled before you attend your first Orientation event.
First-year students are required to purchase a Block 304 plan which includes 5 Meal Trades plus $350 discretionary funds. This plan allows unlimited access to the 921 the main Dining Hall on campus.
All mail must be addressed completely as follows:
Your First & Last Name - STUDENT
Bentley University
175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452-4705
For more information on the Bentley Mail Room.
The Bentley Shuttles are a great resource for exploring the local area, as well as getting around campus. With three routes that cover campus, Waltham, Waverly Square (Belmont) and Harvard Square (Cambridge), you also have easy access to MBTA buses, subway and commuter rail lines. You can catch all three lines at the LaCava Shuttle Hub. The TransLoc Rider mobile app provides live tracking, bus capacity and arrival times, as well as important schedule updates. See schedules and additional shuttle details below.
A Target is located in Watertown, MA, about a 15-minute drive from campus. You can also mail items to campus at 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA 02452.
Discretionary dollars can be used through campus in places such as LaCava, Currito, Einteins and for items at the Falcon Mart in Collins. Meal trades are an alternative for some items at Currito and LaCava which can be ordered either in person or on Grubhub.
RAs will be around to help, you can also place a work order and someone will be able to help as well.
Freshman are required to be on the Block 304 meal plan, but they can switch meal plans their sophomore year, depending on where they live on campus.
30 inches, but you are allowed to bring bed risers.
Other than during finals week, they are:
10pm - 8am | Sunday through Thursday
1am - 9am | Friday through Saturday
Academics and Course Selection
Throughout the onboarding process students will receive videos regarding registration and course selection. Below you can find a list of frequently asked questions. For more information check out the New Student Advising and Registration page.
Course registration and selection occurs online in July for first year and transfer students. You will receive more detailed information when you complete your online orientation in June.
First year students will register on July 31.
Transfer students will register on July 29.
Course registration will be available starting at your designated date (first year students on July 31 and transfer students on July 29). Staff will be available during this time to help answer questions. If you are unable to register for classes during this time, you can log in any time after course registration has opened.
Orientation and New Student Programs
We are excited to welcome you to campus in the fall! More information regarding move-in day for our various pre-arrival programs as well as our new student move-in day will be communicated to your Bentley email in late July or early August. A few commonly asked questions about our Mosaic, International and Defined Communities programs, as well as New Student Move-in Day can be found below.
We have a multi-layer orientation experience. All new students must complete an online orientation in June, then participate in course registration in July and attend on-campus Orientation, August 29 through September 2. For students living on campus, you will move into your residence halls that morning during your assigned time block.
Yes. All new students need to participate in Orientation. If you have questions about the program or time commitment, please reach out to orientation@bentley.edu and a staff member can assist you.
Orientation provides a foundation for your Bentley experience. You will have the opportunity to connect with fellow students, faculty and staff. You will learn what life is like as a Bentley student, ways to get involved outside of the classroom, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a member of our community. And of course, we want you to have some fun!
Yes! We understand that you have had experience in a college setting, but we want you to know Bentley and connect with the community. You will be in a group with other transfer students and some sessions will be transfer student specific.
Throughout Orientation all meals will be provided in the dining hall. You will eat lunches and dinners during rotations with your Orientation Leader and group. Breakfast is optional.
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are made up of current Bentley undergraduate students. We have built a well-balanced, diverse team of students with different and important involvement on campus. Orientation Leaders arrive on campus about a week before new students for training in relationship building, knowledge of on-campus resources and University policies. The OLs will help you throughout the Orientation Program and are a great resource throughout your time at Bentley.
Your Orientation group will be the same group as your Falcon Discovery Seminar class. This will allow you to be with other first-year, transfer and exchange students and begin the experience that will continue throughout the semester with your faculty member and seminar peer leader. Don’t worry too much about the grouping piece, the important part is to connect with other new students and start to build your network at Bentley.
The MOSAIC Experience is a pre-orientation program for new students of color. First year and transfer students are welcome to participate.
The MOSAIC program begins three days prior to New Student Orientation. During the program, students receive tools and training to prepare them for academic success and make meaningful connections within their new college community.
Program Dates are August 26 - August 28.
For more information, email the Multicultural Center staff at GA_Multicultural_Center@Bentley.edu.
Yes, the MOSAIC experience is a pre-orientation program so after it is completed, you will join your new Orientation group.
International students starting in the fall, should plan to arrive on campus for August 27 unless you are participating in another one of our pre-orientation programs (i.e. MOSAIC Experience, Fall Season Student Athlete, etc.).
If you apply and are accepted into a Defined Community, you will arrive on August 27. This will give you the opportunity to meet your community members and faculty or staff advisor. You will also participate in a leadership retreat on Wednesday before starting Orientation.
In May you will receive your Becoming a Falcon Quick Guide. This will outline all of the tasks you need to complete before starting the semester. There is a lot so you will want to stay on track. The checklist will also be in your BentleyConnect Portal. Use the portal to complete all these tasks. You will learn more details about the tasks and other events in May.
For more information check out our Admitted Students Day Handout.
Health and Wellbeing
The health wellness and counseling centers are opened Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.
If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, you can call University Police at (781) 891-3131. When off-campus, call or text 911.
Bentley’s counseling center's phone line is also staffed 24/7. In the event of a need for after hours mental health support, please call 781-891-2274.
Bentley University strives to make web content accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing information and need this content in an alternate format, please contact the Office of Orientation and Student Onboarding at orientation@bentley.edu.